Proverbs 11–12

11The Lord hates it when people use scales to cheat others.

But he is delighted when people use honest weights.

²When pride comes, shame follows.

But wisdom comes to those who are not proud.

³Those who do what is right are guided by their honest lives.

But those who aren’t faithful are destroyed by their trickery.

⁴Wealth isn’t worth anything when God judges you.

But doing what is right saves you from death.

⁵The ways of honest people are made straight because they do what is right.

But those who do what is wrong are brought down by their own sins.

⁶Godly people are saved by doing what is right.

But those who aren’t faithful are trapped by evil longings.

⁷When an evil man dies, his hope dies with him.

Everything he expected to gain from his power will be lost.

⁸Those who do right are saved from trouble.

But trouble comes on those who do wrong.

⁹With their words ungodly people destroy their neighbors.

But those who do what is right escape because of their knowledge.

¹⁰When those who do right succeed, their city is glad.

When those who do wrong die, people shout for joy.

¹¹The blessing of honest people builds up a city.

But the words of sinners destroy it.

¹²A person who has no sense makes fun of his neighbor.

But a man who has understanding controls his tongue.

¹³Those who talk about others tell secrets.

But those who can be trusted keep things to themselves.

¹⁴Without the guidance of good leaders a nation falls.

But many good advisers can save it.

¹⁵Anyone who puts up money for what someone else owes will certainly suffer.

But a person who doesn’t agree to pay up for someone else is safe.

¹⁶A woman who has a kind heart gains respect.

But men who are not kind gain only wealth.

¹⁷A kind man benefits himself.

But a mean person brings trouble on himself.

¹⁸Those who do what is wrong really earn nothing.

But those who plant what is right will certainly be rewarded.

¹⁹Right living leads to life.

But anyone who runs after evil will die.

²⁰The Lord hates those whose hearts are twisted.

But he is pleased with those who live without blame.

²¹You can be sure that sinners will be punished.

And you can also be sure that godly people will go free.

²²A beautiful woman who has no sense

is like a gold ring in a pig’s nose.

²³What godly people long for ends only in what is good.

But what sinners hope for ends only in God’s anger.

²⁴Some give freely but get even richer.

Others don’t give what they should but get even poorer.

²⁵Anyone who gives a lot will succeed.

Anyone who renews others will be renewed.

²⁶People call down curses on those who store up grain for themselves.

But blessing makes those who are willing to sell feel like kings.

²⁷Anyone who looks for what is good finds favor.

But bad things happen to a person who plans to do evil.

²⁸Those who trust in their riches will fall.

But those who do right will be as healthy as a green leaf.

²⁹Those who bring trouble on their families will receive nothing but wind.

And foolish people will serve wise people.

³⁰The fruit that godly people bear is like a tree of life.

And those who lead others to do what is right are wise.

³¹Godly people get what they should get on earth.

So ungodly people and sinners will certainly get what they should get!

12Anyone who loves to be trained loves knowledge.

Anyone who hates to be corrected is stupid.

²The Lord blesses anyone who does good.

But he judges any man who is tricky.

³If a man does what is evil, he can’t become strong and steady.

But if people do what is right, they can’t be removed from the land.

⁴A noble wife is her husband’s crown.

But a wife who brings shame is like sickness in his bones.

⁵The plans of godly people are right.

But the advice of sinners will lead you the wrong way.

⁶The words of those who are evil hide and wait to spill people’s blood.

But the speech of those who are honest saves them from traps like that.

⁷Sinners are destroyed and taken away.

But the houses of godly people stand firm.

⁸A man is praised for how wise he is.

But people hate those who have twisted minds.

⁹Being nobody and having a servant

is better than pretending to be somebody and having no food.

¹⁰Those who do what is right take good care of their animals.

But the kindest acts of those who do wrong are mean.

¹¹Anyone who farms his land will have plenty of food.

But a person who chases dreams has no sense.

¹²Those who do what is wrong want to steal from others.

But those who do what is right bear good fruit because of their deep roots.

¹³A sinner is trapped by his sinful talk.

But a godly person escapes trouble.

¹⁴Many good things come from what a man says.

And the work of his hands rewards him.

¹⁵The way of a foolish person seems right to him.

But a wise person listens to advice.

¹⁶Foolish people are easily upset.

But wise people pay no attention to hurtful words.

¹⁷An honest witness tells the truth.

But a dishonest witness tells lies.

¹⁸Thoughtless words cut like a sword.

But the tongue of wise people brings healing.

¹⁹Truthful words last forever.

But lies last for only a moment.

²⁰There are lies in the hearts of those who plan evil.

But there is joy for those who work to bring peace.

²¹No harm comes to godly people.

But sinners have all the trouble they can handle.

²²The Lord hates those whose lips tell lies.

But he is pleased with people who tell the truth.

²³Wise people keep their knowledge to themselves.

But the hearts of foolish people shout foolish things.

²⁴Hands that work hard will rule.

But people who don’t want to work will become slaves.

²⁵Worry makes a man’s heart heavy.

But a kind word cheers him up.

²⁶Godly people are careful about the friends they choose.

But the way of sinners leads them down the wrong path.

²⁷Anyone who refuses to work doesn’t even cook what he catches.

But a man who works hard values what he has.

²⁸There is life in doing what is right.

Along that path you will never die.